Mechanism for justifying margins in typewriting



Sept. 21, 1937. c. c. PETERS MECHANISM FOR JUSTIFYING MARGINS IN TYPEWRITING Filed July 23, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 21, 1937.

c. c. PETERS 2,093,924

MECHANISM FOR JUSTIFYING MARGINS IN TYPEWRITING Filed July 23, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 CQarjs Mr: fez-s 5f ibis/9 5621219 4:

Sept. 21, 1937. c. c. PETER 2,093,924

MECHANISM FOR JUSTIFYING MARGIN IN TYPEWRITING Filed July 23, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 21, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE MECHANISM FOR JUSTIEYING MARGINS IN TYPEWRITING Charles Clinton Peters, State College, Pa.' Application July 23, 1936, Serial N0. 92,238

8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in typewriting and like machines, and more particularly to margin justifying devices and attachments therefor, beinga continuation 5 in part of my application filed December 19, 1935 bearingSerial No. 55,145.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a device of the character set forth which is operable to control the movement of the 10 carriage of a typewriter in a predetermined ratio with respect to the movement of its .carrier for the purpose of graduating the type spacing of the typewriter in any one line although the type spacing of various lines throughout the page 15 may be graduated for different spacing in that line.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character set forth ,having novel means associated therewith operable to selectively control movement of the carriage of the typewriter so that the step' by step advance movement thereof may be variably increased or decreased relative to the step by step advance movements permitted by the escapement mechanism of such typewriter, so that in copying from a previously typewritten sheet, lines which are longer or shorter than normal may be correspondingly shortened or lengthened to obtain a uniform margin at the right-hand side of the 30 sheet.

r A further'object of the invention isto provide a device of the character set forth which may be effectively and efliciently used inconjunction with various forms of typewriter constructions 35 now manufactured.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character set forth which is eflicient in operation and of relatively simple rugged construction embodying a minimum of parts.

These and other objects of the invention and the features and details of construction thereof are set forth hereinafter'and shown in the aqcompanying drawings, in which: 45 .Fig. 1 is .a fragmentary view in perspective showing one. form of the present invention operatively associated with a typewriting machine. Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view of a typewriting machine embodying the present invention.

.Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary View in perspective illustrating certain features and details of construction of said invention.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective of a portion of one of several control elements.

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of a series of three control elements of the character disclosed in Fig. 4 operable to shorten the length of a line of typewriting 1, 2 or 3 letter spaces respectively.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing a 5 series of reversely threaded control members operable to increase the length of a line of typewriting 1, 2 or 3 letter spaces respectively; and

Fig. 7 is a view in perspective similar to the disclosure in Fig. 1 illustrating another form of 10 the invention whereby any one of several elements of the character disclosed in Figs. 5 and 6 may be selectively engaged to eifectively control the extent of the step by step movement of the typewriter carriage.

Referring now to the drawings, reference nuineral l designates generally a typewriting machine which may be of any type, and which is inclusive, as usual, of a base or frame 2, a carriage 3 and an escapement mechanism whereby advance of the carriage progresses step by. step in response to depression of the keys, and space -bar.- As shown in Fig. 2 the escapement mechanism of the typewriting machine illustrated in the drawings comprises the customary rack bar 4 which is meshed with a pinion 5 mounted for rotation with the escapement wheel The step by step rotation of the escapement wheel 6 is controlled by means of pawls 'l "and 8 which are alternately released in the usual manner by depression of the several keys 9 and space bar ill to permit a corresponding traverse of the rack bar 4 and carriage 3 which is actuated by means of the usual spring tension device ll. Apart from the present margin justifying mechanism the machine includes, of course, various other mechanisms which do not enter into the invention and are therefore not illustrated or described In accordance with the present invention, the rack bar 4 of the escapement mechanism is mounted on the carriage 3 for longitudinal movement relative thereto by means of a screw l2 which is journaled in the right hand end face of said rack bar 4 and threaded through a collar or like element l3 permanently secured to and depending from the adjacent end of said carriage 3, said screw being supported against longitudinal displacement withrespect to the rack bar by means of a bracket It secured to the unr der side thereof and having a slot l5 therein for engagement With a peripheral groove in the screw l2. The opposite or left hand end of the rack bar 4 is supported by means of a pin or like element 16 secured in any suitable manner into the adjacent end face of said rack bard and slidably supported with respect to the carriage 3 by means of a collar or the like I! permanently secured thereto.

, Thus it will be observed that upon rotation of the screw I2 in a clockwise direction with respect to the drawings the rack bar 4 will be displaced longitudinally toward the left with respect to the carriage 3 a. distance equal to the feed of said screw I2, and in similar manner rotation of the screw I2 in a counter-clockwise direction will, of course, displace the rack bar 4 in an opposite direction longitudinally with respect to said carriage. Accordingly, when a line of typewriting is to be increased, for example one letter space, the screw I2 must be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction during traverse of the carriage 8 a number of turns sufilcient to displace the rack bar 4 longitudinally of said carriage3 and to the right with respect to the drawings a distance equal to whatever space graduation the particular typewriter employed allots to a single letter space, and similarly, in the event that another line of typewriting is to be increased in length a single letter space the screw I2 must be rotated in a clockwise direction a number of turns sufiicient to displace the rack bar 8 longitudinally to the right with respect to the carriage a distance equal to whatever space graduation the particular typewriter employed allots to each letter space. In like manner if any one line of typewriting is to be increased or shortened, for example two, three ormore letter spaces, the screw I2 must be rotated in such direction during traverse of the carriage a number of turns sufficient to displace the rack bar 4 in the required longitudinal direction a distance equal to a like number of letter spaces.

In the present instance, rotation of the screw I2 in either direction is efiected and controlled for any one line of typewriting by means of one of a number of variously threaded bars or rods designated generally as I8. Certain of the .bars or rods I8 are threaded in a reverse direction with respect to the threads of other bars or rods, and the pitch of the threads in either direction are variously arranged to insure the proper speed of rotation of the screw I2 and displacement of the rack bar 4 asmay be required for the particular number of letter spaces thatthe line of typewriting is to be increased or decreased.

As shown in Fig. 1 the typewriting machine I is preferably secured upon a base or other similar structure A, and in one form of the invention a standard or bracket I9 having aslot 28 in its upper end is likewise secured to said structure A at a predetermined fixed position thereon with respect to said machine so that said slot 28 is in axial alignment with the screw I2 and rack bar 4 of the typewriting machine. The rods or bars I8 which actuate and control the screw I2 and longitudinal displacement of the rack bar 4 are detachably connected, one at a time, to the outer end of said screw I2 by means of a coupling or other similar member designated generally as 2I and supported coaxially of the screw I2 with in the slot 28 of the bracket or standard I9 previously described, said bars or rods I8 being releasably retained within the slot 28 against accidental displacement outwardly thereof by means of a latch or the like 22 pivotally connected at 23 to the bracket I9 and controlled by means of a spring 24. The slot 28, in the present instance, is of less width than the maximum thickness of each of the bars or rods I8 and arranged proportionately with respect to the latter so that as said bars I8 are drawn through said slot by traverse of the carriage 3 in the usual manner, the rods or bars I8 are caused to rotate due to the presence of the threads thereon thus effecting rotation of the screw I2 during traverse of said carriage 3 to correspondingly displace the rack 3 and increase or shorten the length of a previously printed line of typewriting as may be desired depending upon the particular pitch and direction of the threads on the bar or rod I8 that is selected.

The coupling 2i previously mentioned is constructed and arranged to facilitate rapid interchange of the various bars or rods I8 as the same may be required for different lines of typewriting and referring particularly to Fig. 3 of the drawings it will be seen that the outer end of the screw I2 is of substantially square cross section shape as indicated at 25. The coupling member 2I is of tubular form and likewise of substantially square cross section shape arranged so that the portion 25 may be readily inserted therein as shown, said portion 25 being retained within said coupling 2I by means of a resilient member such as a. clip. 28 which engages a suitably formed recess or opening 21 in the end portion 25 of the screw I2, and for the purpose of operatively connecting the bars or rods I8 and coupling 2I together, a pin 28 is disposed transversely of said coupling centrally and adjacent the outer end thereof. The outwardly adjacent side wall portion of the coupling member 2I is removed as shown to permit the beveled or tapered ends of the bars or rods IE to be inserted therein at a substantial angle to the axis of said coupling and subsequently moved into alignment I therewith so that said pin 28 is placed into engagement with a hook, recess or like formation 29 provided in each bar or rod I8 adjacent the end thereof.

In operation of this form of the device, at the beginning of the writing of each line of typewriting the operation connects-the proper rod or bar I8 to the screw I2 through the coupling ZI in the manner previously described and inserts such bar or rod I8 in the slot 28 of bracket I9 where it is held by the latch or catch 22. the threads upon the several bars or rods I8 vary in the direction and number of turns and are selected by the operator according to the direction and extent to which the line is to be changed in length as indicated by a preliminary draft of the copy. As the carriage 3 is traversed in its customary step by step progression upon depression of the keys 9 or space bar I8, the rod or bar I8 coupled to the screw I2 is drawn through the slot 28 which cooperates with the threads on said rod or bar to efiect rotation of the latter and said screw I2 whereby the rack bar 4 is displaced progressively toward the right or left with respect to the writing point and the carriage 3, thus increasing or shortening the length of the line being typed as desired by allotting the deficiency or excess in the length of the line in As described,

the original draft proportionately to each of the letter spaces in the entire line being typed.

Another form of the invention is shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, wherein a plurality of the previously described threaded bars or rods I8 are rotatably mounted in spaced parallel frame members 38 connectedtogether adjacent their lateral extremities by means of rods 3I which are slidably supported in brackets or standards 32 to permit said frame, members 30 and. the several bars or rods I8 carried thereby to move rod 88 with the groove with the carriage 3, a bracket member 33 being secured to the adjacent end face plate of said carriage 3 and the inner frame member 30 as shown to connect the same together.

A shaft 34 is rotatably mounted in the inner frame member 30 co-axially with respect to the previously described screw l2 and this shaft 34 is operatively connected to said screwJZ by means of the coupling member 2!. The threaded bars or rods H! are rotatably mounted in the frame members 30 and arranged in predetermined spaced parallel relation with respect to each other and the axis of the shaft 34 and screw l2 at opposite sides of said shaft 34, and a gear 35 is mounted on each of said bars or rods|8 adjacent one end thereof inwardly adjacent the inner frame member 30. As shown in Fig. '7 of the drawings these gears 35 successively mesh with one another and the innermost gear at either side of the shaft 33 meshes with a suitable gear 35 which is mounted on said shaft 3d for rotation therewith. Thus it will be observed that rotation of any single one of the bars or rods l8 will be transmitted through gears 35 and gear 36 to the shaft 3 5 and through it and the coupling it to the screw l2, to longitudinally displace the rack bar 3 through such distance with respect to the writing point and carriage 3 as is determined by the direction and pitch of the turns or threads on the particular bar l8 that may be actuated.

In the present instance, actuation or rotation of any single one of the bars or rods i8 is effected in a manner quite similar to that set forth in describing the first form of the invention, namely, by engaging such bar or rod l8 with a slotted member constructed and arranged with respect to the thickness of the bar and the formation of the threads thereon so that contact of said threads with said slotted member will cause said bar or rod l8 to be rotated at a speed which, of course, is determined by the pitch of the threads thereon.

\ In the present form of the invention, this is accomplished by providing a series of substantially L-shaped members 31 each having a suitably formed vertical groove 38 in the upper ends thereof and arranging one of said members 31 and its groove 38 directly beneath each bar or rod E3. The outer extremity of the horizontal leg of the members 31 is pivoted at 39 to the base structure A and normally maintained out of engagement with its particular rod or bar is, in the relation shown by means of springs or the like Ml. It will be observed that in order to engage a bar or rod 18 with its corresponding slot 33 it is necessary members 3i in a clockwise direction with respect to Fig. '7 of the drawings and this may be done by means of a bar or the like il eccentrically pivoted in supports 32 and provided with a handle 33 by means of which said bar 4i may be rocked in a counter-clockwise direction, thus raising the bracket 3'! and engaging the bar or 38 therein.

In the particular form of the invention just described, it will be seen that the necessity of disconnecting one bar or rod is from the screw H at the coupling 2! at the end of each line of typewriting and connecting another different bar or rod 83 thereto for the succeeding line of typewriting as in the form of the invention first described, is entirely eliminated and any single one of the several bars or rods l8 mounted in the frame 33 may be operatively connected with said devices made in accordance with to pivot the L-shaped bracket of typewriting.

It should be pointed out at this time in connection with the description of the operation of this latter form of the invention that the arrangement of the rods or bars l3 and their gears 35 and gear 36 requires the direction of the threads on said bars or rods l8 to be arranged with particularity depending upon the particular position in which such bar is mounted in the frames 30 with respect to the shaft 34 and its gear 35 as well as the number of gears 35 intermediate the latter gear and the gear 35 on the particular bar or rod l8 so as to insure rotation of the shaft 34 and the screw l2 in the direction desired for that particular actuating rod or bar l8.

By the present invention, it will be seen that the present invention permit a wide range or graduation in the extent of each feed movement of the carriage 3 without interfering with the normal standardized operation of the escapement mechanism which controls the step by step progression of said carriage 3, and it will be further apparent that such devices are capable and susceptible of relatively easy and quick application to a typewriter as well as to typewriting machines of various forms.

From the foregoing description, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is believed that the construction, operation, and

advantages of the invention will be clearly understood. -It is desired to be pointed out, however, that while certain specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, the same are readily capable of various changes and modifications in mechanical structure within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

.I claim:

1. A line justifying device for typewriting machines having a carriage and an escapement, including a screw between the escape'ment and the carriage for controlling the step by step movement of the latter at each actuation of said escapement, a plurality of control members having operative connection with said screw, and means operable to effect actuation of at least one of said control members and the screw to predeterminedly fix the extent of each, step by step movement of the carriage.

2. 'A line justifying device for typewriting machines having a carriage and an escapement, including a screw between the escapement and the carriage for controlling the step by step movement of the latter at each actuation of said escapement, a plurality of control members having operative connection with said screw, and means operable at will for selective engagement with at least one of said control members to effect rotation of the same and the screw upon traverse of said carriage to predeterminedly fix the extent of each step by step movement of the carriage.

3. A line justifying device for typewriters having a carriage and an escapement including adjustable means between the escapement and the carriage for controlling movement of the latter at each actuation of said escapement, means having threads thereon of predetermined pitch connected to said adjustable means, and means engaging the threads of the last mentioned means operable to rotate the same and the adjustable means upon traverse of said carriage to predeterminedly fix the extent of each such movement of the carriage.

4; A line justifying device for typewriting machines having a carriage and an escapement including adjustable means between the escapement and the carriage for controlling the movement of the latter at each actuation of said escapement, a plurality of control members each having threads thereon of predetermined pitch operatively connected with said adjustable means, and means operable to engage the threads on at least one of said control members to efiect rotation of the same and the adjustable means upon traverse of said carriage to predeterminedly fix the extent of eachsuch movement of the carriage. l I

, 5. A line justifying device for typewriting machines having a carriage and an escapement including adjustable means between the escapement and the carriage for controlling the move ment of the latter at each actuation of said escapement, a plurality of control members each having threads thereon of predetermined pitch operatively connected with said adjustable means, and means operable at will arranged for selective engagement with the threads on at least one of said control members to effect rotation of the same and the adjustable means upon traverse of said carriage to predeterminedly fix the extent of each such movement of the carriage.

6. A line justifying device for typewriting machines having a carriage and an escapement including adjustable means between the escapement and the carriage for controlling the step by step movement of the latter at each actuation of said escapement, a plurality of control members each having threads thereon of predeter-' mined direction and pitch, means operatively connecting each of said control members with said adjustable means, and means arranged for selective engagement with the threads of at least one of said control members to effect rotation of the same and the adjustable means upon traverse of said carriage to predeterminedly fix the extent of each step by step movement of the carriage.

7. A line justifying device for typewriting machines having a carriage and escapement including adjustable means between the escapement and the carriage for controlling the step by step movement of the latter at each actuation of said escapement, a plurality of control members for said adjustable means, means arranged to engage the control members to effect rotation thereof and said adjustable means upon traverse of said carriage to predeterminedly fix the extent of each step by step movement of the carriage, and means operable at will to selectively engage the last-mentioned means with the control members.

8. A line justifying device for typewriting machines having a carriage and an escapement including adjustable means between the escapement and the carriage for controlling the step by step movement of the latter at each actuation of said escapement, a plurality of control members each having threads thereon of predetermined pitch and direction, means operatively connecting said control members with said adjustable means, means arranged for engagement with the threads of each of the control members to efiect rotation of the same and the adjustable means upon traverse of said carriage to predeterminedly fix the extent of each step by step movement of the carriage, and means operable at will to selectively engage said last mentioned means with the threads on the control members.

CHARLES CLINTON PETERS. 

